Kathmandu, April 25

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who is on a nine-day state visit to China at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, reached Beijing this evening.

Upon arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport, Bhandari was received by Chinese Vice-minister for Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou, Ambassador of China to Nepal Hou Yanqi, and Ambassador of Nepal to China Leela Mani Poudyal and other officials of the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, according to a press release issued by the embassy.

Bhandari will attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation to be held in Beijing tomorrow. She will deliver a speech at the Forum, and attend the banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping in the evening.

Bhandari, who reached Xi’an of Shaanxi Province yesterday on the first leg of her state visit to China, was called on by Governor of Shaanxi Province Liu Gouzhong earlier in the day. Various aspects of bilateral relations were discussed during the call-on.

“Promoting cooperation between Nepal and Shaanxi Province, particularly in the fields of culture, education, tourism, investment and people-to-people contacts figured prominently during the meeting. They also discussed the promotion of sister relationship between various cities in both the countries,” read the press release.

Following the call-on, the governor hosted a banquet luncheon in honour of President Bhandari and the Nepali delegation. Earlier in the morning, Bhandari visited the historic Da Ci’en temple, which has historic links with Lumbini, the birthplace of Shakyamuni Buddha. In the afternoon before leaving for Beijing, she visited the world-famous Terracotta Warriors Museum. Bhandari was briefed about the historic significance and current status of both places.

Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Chief Minister of Province 3 Dormani Poudel, members of the Federal Parliament, other dignitaries, Ambassador of China to Nepal and Ambassador of Nepal to China were present during the events.

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